The John Griff Column: And so that was Christmas!

Christmas cards have started to appear with a less specific interpretation in their appearance (image Claudine Rose)

As far as I can recall, Christmas has always been a season described in ‘magical’ terms – in cards, song and carol lyrics, poetry and prose. For some it has become a bloated, overly commercialised period, stripped of its religious significance and hijacked by the ‘he who shouts loudest’ retailers and credit card companies. Could we all do with pushing the reset button?

I understand the view – and its effects. For others though the magic still remains. Years ago, I presented a show on a UK & Europe-wide, corporate radio station. The brief was simple enough –

1) Keep the style light, topical and positive,

2) Reflect the brand values of the company to the company’s visitors, and

3) Don’t say anything contentious or which could cause offence.

Clear enough. For years it provided me (and others from much higher profile careers than my own), with much appreciated work. But there was an annual challenge which I always had difficulty getting past – Christmas. The company was a multinational with a very high profile, household name. Operating as it did, it had to be mindful of a fundamental truth – not everyone celebrates, or even relishes Christmas. To be as pluralistic as possible, it had to steer a path where no celebration of any tradition – religious or otherwise – could appear in its stores, unless it fitted with the company’s business activities. As broadcasters we couldn’t use the term ‘Christmas’ and instead were obliged to substitute it with the term ‘Festive Season’ – whilst all the while the company continued to sell its own brand of ‘Festive’ decorations, chiming in with the events of the 25th of December.

Professionally I understood what I was being told to do – commercially it made sense. But as a person brought up embracing the central themes of Christmas - and the entire religious belief structure that goes with it – I found it hard to wear. Religion is often cited as what divides global communities and is sometimes characterised as ‘the root of all evil’. This, I also found hard to reconcile, albeit that through my schooling (mostly in History classes rather than what was then called Divinity) I came to understand the concept of atrocities being carried out by people in the name of a particular religious dogma. As if that made it all alright.

In the current age, it is, perhaps, harder than ever to seek out the true meaning of Christmas. Human behaviours have developed around religious celebration – but none of them are the only religious celebration. All have their place within their particular communities, so it follows that, universally, all should have respect accorded them whatever our individual persuasions. It has never happened like that before, of course – religious persecution has existed ever since there has been religion. But the core aspiration remains – and must do. The challenge comes in getting everyone to adopt the same respect and tolerance. Our time is short – we should make the most of it and seek peace for the good of all.

Earlier this week I observed a small tradition associated with the festive season. Collecting the turkey, ham and pigs in blankets from our local butcher sets off the final planning for the gastronomic celebrations of the season. Joining a line with dozens of others stretching down the street outside and all clutching our pink purchase order slips, I found myself queuing with a father and his young daughter from our village. Although I can’t say I know them well, I knew them well enough to recognise them and up until the point at which we parted company, we chatted about how we would be spending our time. They have literally dozens of mouths to feed this week with a huge gathering of their clan - I can only imagine the degree of co-ordination it will take. But it was the innocence of the father’s young daughter which struck me. She’d submitted her list to Father Christmas a while ago (‘money and a jewellery box please’), had studied Christmas at school (‘It was Henry the 8th who enjoyed the first ever turkey dinner for Christmas in the 16th century’). She appeared to know every Christmas cracker joke ever written - Michael Mcintyre, watch out. She also knew her own mind, having agreed to lay the table, serve up and clear away, but drawing the line at any washing or drying up. She has a lot to learn, but will go far, I’m sure.

I hope you had a wonderful time, however you chose to mark the festive season. Next stop – 2025!